Autonomic computing is in a state of rapid development, and other products from vendors are catalysts to help this technology reach market maturity. To further its adoption—first by innovators, then by the early majority, and finally by the masses—other software vendors play a critical role in the proliferation of this and all new technology initiatives.
The acceptance of autonomic computing as a whole, as well as IBM's strategic direction, is critical for its penetration into the marketplace. Vendors interested in providing other software tools must develop and enable their mainstream enterprise solutions for autonomic computing in order for their customers to begin to reap the benefits of this important new technology. Table 14.3 is a list of vendors by categories that are currently developing or have released software in the autonomic arena.
Table 14.3. Software Vendors Providing Autonomic-Type Software and Products
